29th annual Holiday Train Show to be held over Thanksgiving weekend

November 20, 2012

Thousands make it a Thanksgiving Holiday tradition to attend the annual Holiday Train Show. This year will mark the 29th annual event, presented by Scale Rails of Southwest Florida.

You can relive fond holiday memories of trains or introduce new generations to their beauty. You can see numerous trains, memorabilia, collectables and talk to experts in the model railroading field, and do early holiday holiday shopping.

The event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 24, and Sunday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Train Show is actually in two locations with the main event, displays and vendors at Araba Shrine Temple in Fort Myers, and the second part a free tour of the North Fort Myers Scale Rail Clubhouse.

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Scale Rails of Southwest Florida is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) group which year after year makes sure it is a memorable experience.

"The biggest thing that is new this year is a raffle layout that is absolutely gorgeous," said organizer Jim Edmier. "The landscaping, everything is complete. We worked on it all summer and everything is top notch."

They don't have an official name for the layout. "The raffle winner will name it," he said.

Fact Box

If You Go:

Who: Scale Rails of Southwest

Florida

What: 29th annual Holiday Train

Show

When: Saturday, Nov. 24, and

Sunday Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Araba Shrine Temple,

2010 Hanson Street, Fort Myers;

and The Depot, 1262 Piney

Road, North Fort Myers

Cost: $7 for adults, $2 for teens,

and children under 12 and active

duty military personnel free.

Includes free admission

to Scale Rails Clubhouse

"One of the main features is a coal mine, and beautiful port holes through the tunnels, and a little town with its church, homes and a water tower. There are two different railroad stations and trees. It is absolutely beautiful, and you can run two trains at a time."

Key club members who constructed it were Ron Supanich, Barry Schmitt and Dwight Sedgwick.

Officers for the organization include Sedgwick, who is secretary, president Peter J. Gross, vice president George Alexander, treasurer Lee Dobyns and Chairman of the Board Edmier.

Edmier has led the way in coordinating the event for nearly a decade. He invites all to come enjoy all the layouts, vendors, and when people are done at the show, they can go to the Depot Clubhouse in North Fort Myers to see other trains running, especially those for children. Kids can even run the trains there.

"And come and do your Christmas shopping at the show," he said.

The Araba Shrine Temple is at 2010 Hanson Street, 1/2 block east of Rt. 41 in Fort Myers.

The Depot is at 1262 Piney Rd. in North Fort Myers.

The cost of this Holiday Show is $7 for adults, $2 for teens, and children under 12 and active duty military personnel free.

The Depot is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting right after the holidays. There are free train clinics there through the spring, with dates and schedules to be announced at the show.